Thinking about hosting DVM students? This page offers a general overview of what’s involved. For more details or to express your interest in hosting, please contact the Melbourne Veterinary School's Placement and Academic Support Team.
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Placement and rotation provider standards
Our placement and rotation provider standards outline the criteria and expectations for organisations that host our students, to ensure high-quality, safe, and educationally valuable experiences.
The following information provides an overview of the general responsibilities and obligations for both our extramural studies (EMS) placement and rotation providers. For a detailed list of all responsibilities and obligations, current hosts should refer to their Vocational Placement Letter Agreement (VPLA) or contract.
General responsibilities and obligations
The host organisation (of all provided types) must meet the following standards:
- Supervision
- Provide appropriate supervision by qualified and experienced personnel throughout the placement/rotation.
- Ensure that the tasks assigned to students and the level of supervision provided are suitable for their skills and experience.
- Learning Objectives and Training
- Ensure that the work assigned to students is relevant to the learning objectives as communicated by the University.
- Provide adequate facilities, training, and learning experiences to support educational goals.
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Provide appropriate orientation and training on the host organisation’s Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) policies, safe work procedures, and other relevant policies.
- Ensure that students' health and safety are not placed at risk during their placement/rotation and that all activities comply with applicable OH&S, equal opportunity, and anti-discrimination laws.
- Require students to report any safety, equal opportunity, or discrimination issues promptly to the host and the University.
- Promptly notify the University of any performance issues, occupational health and safety, equal opportunity, or discrimination issues or incidents that arise for a student during the placement/rotation.
- Non-Employee Status
- Acknowledge that students are not employees and that during placement/rotation, they will not be required to perform any duties or services as an employee.
- Acknowledge that the students will not receive any form of remuneration or payment from the host.
- Confidentiality and Privacy
- Maintain confidentiality regarding the confidential information of the University (including any information or student assessment materials) and the students.
- Comply with all applicable privacy laws
- Insurance
- Maintain appropriate insurance coverage, including Public Liability, workers’ compensation, and professional indemnity insurance, and will provide evidence of such coverage to the University upon request.
Additional responsibilities and obligations of rotation providers
The rotation providers must meet the following standards in addition to general responsibilities and obligations:
- Rotation Scheduling
- Deliver the agreed weeks as specified by the University’s rotation timetable.
- Host students in designated groups and ensure that the size and structure of these groups meet the agreed standards.
- Teaching and Assessment
- Deliver structured experiential training aligned with curriculum requirements, as agreed with the University. Experiential learning opportunities must meet the standards set by the University and comply with the requirements of AVBC, RCVS, AVMA, and any other relevant accreditation bodies as advised by the University.
- Ensure the timely and high-quality delivery of formative feedback and summative assessments to rotation students.
- Designated Contacts and Coordinators
- Designate a veterinarian as the Host Organisation Rotation Coordinator, accountable for the delivery of the rotations.
- Appoint a veterinarian under the direction of the Rotation Coordinator to ensure rotations are delivered as required and all quality measures and KPIs are met.
- Designate an administrator to handle student attendance, absences, logistical issues, feedback, and assessments.
- Compliance and Training
- Ensure all staff and systems comply with University and accrediting body requirements.
- Complete the required training and attend educational events provided by the University.
- Reporting and Feedback
- Report promptly on student performance, inappropriate behaviours, and any incidents.
- Engage in regular check-ins with the University to discuss progress and resolve any issues.
Responsibilities comparison - EMS placement versus rotation providers
| Responsibility Area | EMS Placement Providers | Rotation Providers |
|---|---|---|
| Supervision | Provide direct supervision for hands on experiential learning | Provide direct supervision for hands on experiential learning |
| Mentorship | General mentorship to support overall professional development | Focused mentorship to guide students through specialised training |
| Learning Objectives | Broad, practical learning goals | Specific, detailed learning objectives tied to the curriculum |
| Training and Education | Offer practical experience in a real-world setting |
Deliver practical experience opportunities aligned with curriculum requirements Staff in practice are required to maintain currency in teacher training |
| Case Load | Offer a varied caseload relevant to the placement | Provide a caseload aligned with specific learning outcomes and tracks |
| Duration and Timing | Organised by students, with a minimum duration of one week for clinical EMS and no minimum hours for pre-clinical EMS | Fixed duration and timing as per academic schedule |
| Facilities and Equipment | Provide adequate facilities and equipment |
Must meet specific equipment and facility standards for specialised training Facilities and protocols will be reviewed occasionally to ensure compliance with accreditation and University standards |
| Feedback and Assessment | Supervisor required to provide a formative feedback report | Conduct formal assessments and provide feedback as part of the curriculum |
| Compliance with Standards | Expected to comply with basic professional standards | Must adhere strictly to accreditation standards and University guidelines |
| Reporting and Documentation | May have occasional minor reporting requirements | Required to maintain detailed records, report on student performance, report on annual caseloads, number of animals seen by students, etc. |
| Accreditation Reporting | No accreditation reporting requirements | Required to provide collect information and report on relevant areas for accreditation reporting |
| Contractual Agreement |
A VPLA will need to be signed between practice and the University No compensation to be paid to the students during the placement | Formal contractual agreement with responsibilities of practices and the University outlined in the contract |